High-level probe sought into suspicious death of seer

Some seers and several others have demanded a high-level probe into the suspicious death of Lakshmivara Theertha Swami of Shiroor Mutt.

Kemaru Mutt’s Isha Vittala Dasa Swami said, “The doctors’ report that there was poison in the seer’s blood has created a furore among the devotees. There should be a high-level enquiry.”

“The police and the district administration should conduct a thorough investigation. The Shiroor seer had broken down before me on the issue related to presiding deity and was worried over it. The seer had the confidence of winning the legal fight over presiding deity,” he said.

He said, “The Shiroor Mutt seer had discussed the issue of appointing an educated youth as junior pontiff five years ago with his close associates.”

Former minister Pramod Madhwaraj said, “The death of the seer has saddened me. He was a common man’s seer. I will urge the home minister to conduct an impartial probe into the death of the seer.”

Condoling the death of the seer, Udupi Diocese Bishop Rev Fr Jerald Lobo termed the seer as a multi-talented person. The seer had cordial relations with members of various communities and religions. He had taken up several initiatives during his three-time Paryaya, Lobo remembered.

Udupi Diocese Catholic Sabha President Alwyn Quadras said, “The Shiroor seer had great interest in music and literature. He had worked for the welfare of the poor. As an admirer of Huli vesha, the seer had supported the Huli Vesha artistes. The sudden demise of the seer has saddened us.”

Mangaluru Bishop Rev Fr Aloysius Paul D’Souza and designate Bishop Fr Peter Paul Saldanha too condoled the death of the seer.

MPs Shobha Karandlaje and Nalin Kumar Kateel said, “The sudden demise of the seer is shocking. The seer had great respect for the culture of the land. He was known for decorating the Lord Krishna’s idol in different styles. The death is a loss not only to Udupi district but also to the entire state.”

Expressing deep condolence, Dharmasthala Dharmadhikari D Veerendra Heggade said, “The seer was a scholar in Sanskrit and Madhwa philosophy. As a Paryaya seer, he had decorated Lord Krishna in different styles for two years. He will be remembered always for his service.”